He will if he has to, of course. He will sit in that ballroom, wearing his suit, his one championship ring displayed on his finger. But he knows that Bill Russell will walk in with 11, that Larry Bird will walk in with three, that fingers will be covered with rings and jewels and titles. And he wants his hands, like his legacy, to match theirs.
He has had time to contemplate that legacy, sitting at home during the lockout, discovering just what retirement might be like. He has reflected on the things he’s done at age 34, the things he has yet to do.
And Pierce knows what he wants.
He wants another title. He wants his number in the rafters. He wants to be remembered.
‘‘I feel like I do belong there,’’ Pierce said, considering the all-time Celtics. ‘‘With the body of work I think I’ve put in, on top of winning a championship, I think I do definitely belong there, even if my career ended in one day.
‘‘But to me it’s not about just belonging there. I want to be up there, up there. When you talk about great Celtics I don’t want to just be a number. I want them to say [John] Havlicek, Bird, Pierce, the names that come with having your number up there. I want them to know not my number but my name.’’
Pierce’s legacy still being built
He started thinking about his legacy years ago, about his place in the rafters. It was 2003, and Cedric Maxwell’s No. 31 had gone up.
‘‘So I knew I had a chance,’’ Pierce said. He seems to be kidding. He is, kind of.
‘‘That’s serious,’’ he adds, smiling.
At this point, it’s hardly a question. Pierce’s number will be retired. That seems assured. What is not known is just how high he’ll end up, where he’ll fit within the pantheon of Celtics greats, a group with intimidating resumes and high standards for admission.
‘‘Larry’s No. 1, Larry and Bill,’’ coach Doc Rivers said. ‘‘After that you can throw them all in a hat, but Paul would be right in that group, early. If you’re taking numbers out, he’s got to be early - 3, 4, 5, in that area.’’
